Reconstruction

M. Reibel, Minister of the Liberated Regions, issued an official report dealing extensively with the progress of reconstruction work in the ten departments invaded and devastated by the German armies in the War. The information falls mainly into three chronological divisions: 1) 1914; 2) the armistice; 3) July, 1923.

Population. In 1914, 4,690,000; armistice 2,075,000; July, 1923, 4,207,000.

Housing. Over 56% of the houses existing in 1914 were destroyed or badly damaged by the German invasion. In 1922, 335,479 houses had been repaired and 140,299 provisional dwellings had been erected. By July of this year the number of buildings repaired was brought up to 430,864 and 4,299 temporary buildings were pulled down. New houses built, 21,556.

Land Reclaimed. Area devastated, 8,242,390 acres. Area restored, as on July 1, 1923, 7,746,655 acres.

Live-Stock. Total livestock in the devastated area in 1914, including sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, mules, horses and cattle, 2,618,135 head; taken by the Germans, 2,418,758 head; in the area on July 1, 1923, 1,431,402 head.

Industry. Factories rebuilt or repaired, 7,771, of which all are working. Personnel employed is 70.9% of the pre-War number.

Mines. Pits: in 1914 there were 290 in existence, all of which were destroyed in the War. The number of pits now being operated is 205.

Coal galleries. Length destroyed or badly damaged, 1,903 miles; length rebuilt and in use, 822 miles.

Coal. Production in 1913, 1,515,750 metric tons; in 1923, 951,103 metric tons, or 62% of the pre-War figure.

Schools. Before the War there were 7,395 schools; there are now 7,178.

Hospitals. In 1914, approximately 200; there are now 193.

Charitable Institutions. In 1914, 2,834; at July there were 2,894.

Communications. All principal roads and railways have been repaired, involving the repair and rebuilding of 35,397 miles of roads and 1,588 miles of railway. A number of canals also had to be repaired and made navigable.

Finance. Total sum expended by the French Government in relieving refugees, giving temporary assistance to the returned population, etc., 1,181,199,567 francs or $69,927,014. The Ministry received 2,998,795 claims for damages and indemnification having a value of 119,551,796,000 francs ($7,077,466,323). Of these claims 90% have been investigated and over 45,000,000,000 francs have been paid on account of recognized claims, or about $2,664,000,000.